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| Leatherback hatchling rescued at Keys Beach 2005 |
Volunteers with the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network have been checking the beaches at North Friars Bay and Keys this weekend to see if any baby turtles have been stranded.
The hatchlings may get caught in trash, head inland or get flipped over after trying to get through ruts left by vehicle tyres and become dehydrated by the hot sun .
The babies usually hatch in the cool of the night and if any are stranded and can be found early in the morning, there is a chance of rescuing them.
If any members of the public find live baby turtles (on beaches such as North and South Friars Bay, North Frigate Bay, Keys to Cayon, Camps and Belle Tete), they should not put them straight in the water, but on the sand where there is a clear path for the hatchling to crawl to the ocean by themselves.
This ensures that the young one will 'log in' its location and be able to return to its nesting beach when it is mature enough to breed - which may not be for another 20 years. Many persons are concerned that the tiny turtles will not survive in the strong waves that are found on our Atlantic beaches, but they should not worry, the hatchlings are well adapted to face the rough water.
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| Volunteers on N. Friars Bay; 7:30am Sunday 3rd September 2006 |
St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network is in the process of setting up a 'hotline' so that any reports of turtles can be recorded and help given if necessary.
Kimberly Stewart, Coordinator - St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network Kate Orchard, Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) Coordinator - St. Christopher Heritage Society 3rd September 2006
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